This aniseed-flavored liqueur appeared in France in the 1930s as some kind of absinthe substitute which was a very popular drink at the end of 19th and early 20th centuries. A bitter tincture of wormwood, it had the effect of a strong hallucinogen. Famous poets and artists – Van Gogh, Verlaine, Rimbaud, Baudelaire, Manet, Wilde, Degas, Toulouse Lautrec, Gauguin, Jarry and Picasso were actually addicted to it.
Le Pastis – an anise-flavoured alcoholic drink
Even the smallest streets are clearly named. The name of the street and district is written in white letters on a dark blue plate and the house number is located next to it. The system of numbering the buildings first appeared in Paris during Napoleonic times. The house numbers begin from the Seine and work outwards from there. Dark blue plaques with the names of old Parisian streets can be bought as souvenir key chains from many gift shops.
Classic dark blue plate with the name of the street
Only London, Glasgow and Budapest developed a Metro system earlier than Paris, in 1900.
The Parisian metro was created by engineer Fulgence Bienvenue (Fulgence Bienvenue) in whose honour one of the metro stations is named – Montparnasse-Bienvenüe. Most of the stations were built before World War II, although in the1990s a new line, #14, was opened with modern stations and trains without operators. The transparent doors to the platforms open automatically when the train stops. On other lines you need to pull the handle to open the train doors to get on and off.
Arts et Métiers metro station in Paris
In Parisian restaurants a menu is called a map (la carte). The word “menu” itself is used to mean a fixed menu with several choices such as a ‘menu du jour’. These meals change daily and are similar to ‘daily specials’. So called “formulas” (formules) or combos allows you a choice of salad and the side dish you want to accompany your main meal. If you prefer to order something special (à la carte) it may take a little longer. All restaurants and cafés display their menus so that you can see the choice of food and the prices before entering.
“La carte” means menu in France
People wearing a blue-green uniform with RATP symbols are only found working in groups. It is too dangerous to work alone as a ticket controller. You will rarely see controllers walking through the metro carriages – they prefer the periods between RER stations and the narrow corridors during the changes where all the exits can easily be blocked.
Public transport tickets in paris
The controller’s favourite place for checking tickets is near the turnstiles to catch those trying to go through the barrier without a ticket. On buses, inspectors check tickets carefully and pay more attention to those getting onto the bus rather than those who are already riding. If you have been caught, it is impossible to escape.
All the controllers realize how difficult it will be for offenders to get a visa next time if you have a record with the police. The only thing that you can do is bargain about the amount of the fine (amende). Controllers know that you most probably do not have too much cash and will set a fine to be paid within two months. However if you can pay the fine immediately it may save you about €20-40, depending on the type of offense committed.
An elevator is a rare item in an old Parisian apartment. In the 18th century elevators had not been invented and later on in it was not always possible to install a shaft. Some buildings have mounted superstructures to accommodate tiny elevators. Sometimes you need to dial a code to make the elevator work in order to restrict door-to-door salesmen and beggars. Most of the buildings have steep circular stairs that look like huge snails (escalier en colimaçon) instead of modern elevators.
Tiny elevator in one of the hotels in Paris
The original doorkeepers appeared in Paris in 19th century when each building had a separate small lodge (loge) on the ground floor for the doorkeeper or concierge. Today the automatic coded doors have replaced some of these jobs but there are still a surprisingly high number of them, especially in the old areas of the city.
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Roasted chestnut can hardly be called the most delicious Parisian delicacy but it is certainly the most legendary. The tradition of roasting chestnuts has been enjoyed for at least a century.
Roasted Chestnuts
When the cold season arrives, Hindus roast the chestnuts on a metal lattice right on the street and serve them in bags made from old newspapers. Rarely will you see the French buying a bag of chestnuts, it is mostly the Russian tourists who recognize the taste of baked potato in them. However any French person will definitely tell you what a good chestnut his/her grandmother can roast!
If you see an unshaved person carrying all his belongings in a supermarket bag you can easily identify them as a beggar. There are a lot of beggars in Paris. They beg for money at metro entrances, in city parks, by the stores and churches, sitting in the sun and drinking cheap wine.
A beggar in Paris with his two dogs
Many SDF (sans domicile fixe) or homeless people live on the metro platforms. When the temperature unexpectedly fell to -10°C several years ago and one beggar died from hypothermia, the Parisian mayor opened the buildings of schools, universities and metro stations for the homeless and all the Parisians donated blankets, old coats and jackets to keep them warm.
For breakfast the French usually have coffee (café), cocoa (chocolat), and more rarely tea (thé) with a fresh croissant (croissant) and/or a slice of bread with butter and jam. It is hard not to feel hungry after such a modest “snack” and the French commonly have their dinner (déjeuner) early at around 11.30 a.m.
Classic Petit déjeuner in France
